Job Vacancies The World Bank, January 2011
Job Vacancies The World Bank
Job Title Counsel
Job Family Legal
Job # 102139
Location Washington, DC
Appointment International Hire
Closing Date: Monday, 24 January 2011
Language Requirements English [Essential]
Appointment Type
Background / General description
Promoting good governance and tackling corruption are critical to achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction. Diversion of funds from development projects through corruption impairs the ability of governments, donors and the World Bank to achieve the goals of reducing poverty, attracting investment, and encouraging good governance. One way that the World Bank combats corruption is through the use of administrative sanctions against firms or individuals that have engaged in fraud, corruption, coercion, collusion or obstruction in connection with World Bank-financed projects. The sanctions regime is designed to protect the funds entrusted to the World Bank, while offering the firms and individuals involved an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them. Allegations that a firm or individual has engaged in sanctionable practices are investigated by the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT). If INT believes there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations, the case is referred to the Evaluation and Suspension Officer (EO), a World Bank official charged with the first tier of review under the World Bank’s two-tier administrative sanctions process. The EO reviews the evidence submitted by INT and determines if the evidence supports a finding that the alleged sanctionable misconduct has occurred. If so, the EO issues a Notice of Sanctions Proceedings to the firm or individual alleged to have engaged in the sanctionable misconduct. This Notice includes the allegations, the evidence and a recommended sanction. The EO also determines whether the firm or individual will be temporarily suspended from eligibility for new World Bank-financed contracts pending the final outcome of the sanctions process. If the firm or individual does not contest the allegations or the recommended sanction, the sanction recommended by the EO is imposed. If the firm or individual contests the allegations and/or the recommended sanction, the case is referred to the World Bank’s Sanctions Board, the second and final tier of the Bank’s administrative sanctions process. The Sanctions Board considers the allegations and evidence in the Notice, the arguments and evidence submitted in response from the firm or individual, and any other materials in the record before taking a decision. The Sanctions Board may also hold a hearing in the matter. The Sanctions Board’s determination of culpability is based on a preponderance of the evidence/ “more likely than not” standard of proof. Its decision as to whether the respondent engaged in any sanctionable practices and if so, what sanctions shall be imposed by the Bank, is final and non-appealable. The Bank has five possible administrative sanctions: public letter of reprimand, debarment, conditional non-debarment, debarment with conditional release, or restitution. Since 2001, more than 400 firms and individuals have been publicly sanctioned by the World Bank (visit www.worldbank.org/debarr for the full list of debarred firms and individuals). The Sanctions Board is comprised of four external members and three internal (World Bank staff) members. External members are appointed by the Executive Directors of the Bank from a roster of candidates, drawn up by the President of the Bank after appropriate consultation, with expertise in law, procurement, dispute resolution, and/or the operations of development institutions. Internal members are appointed by the President of the Bank from among senior Bank staff with knowledge of Bank procurement and/or operations. The Sanctions Board Secretariat (SBS), newly established in September 2010, consists of a Secretary and additional legal and other staff who together provide the legal and administrative support needed for the Sanctions Board’s effective and efficient functioning. Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year renewable term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities
# The Counsel position requires demonstrated ability to thoroughly, precisely and efficiently analyze legal arguments and factual records, and to draft legal memoranda, decisions, correspondence and presentations in English to the highest standards. The Counsel will be expected to: Review Notices of Sanctions Proceedings and all other pleadings and/or additional evidence submitted in a case.
# Analyze the legal arguments and factual record so as to assess the relative merits of the parties’ arguments and evidentiary support therefor.
# Prepare briefing memos and other materials as needed to assist the Sanctions Board members in their review and analysis of the cases.
# Assist in preparation for Sanctions Board hearings by communicating with the parties, identifying issues and proposing questions for oral argument.
# Assist in the preparation of draft decisions that reflect the content and conclusions of the Sanctions Board’s deliberations.
# Monitor World Bank sanctions reforms and other institutional developments relevant to the Sanctions Board’s work, providing input as appropriate.
# Keep abreast of global anti-corruption standards, scholarship and best practices.
# Liaise as needed with other international organizations, particularly the regional multilateral development banks participating in cross-debarment with the World Bank.
# Support outreach efforts to better communicate the role of the Sanctions Board inside and outside the Bank, including through development of a Sanctions Board web site, presentations, participation in learning events, and other knowledge sharing as appropriate.
# Help to design, implement and maintain efficient policies and procedures for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, including with regard to correspondence, document management, case management and case tracking, communications with Sanctions Board members, and appointment and reappointment of new members.
# Work closely with Secretary and other Secretariat staff on other assignments or matters as needed.
Selection Criteria
# The chosen candidate will be selected based upon the following: A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the practice of law
# JD, LLB, LLM or equivalent
# Qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction
# Demonstrated ability to thoroughly, precisely and efficiently analyze legal arguments and factual records
# Demonstrated ability to draft legal memoranda, decisions, correspondence and presentations in English to the highest standards of precision and clarity
# Background in anti-corruption or other relevant areas of criminal law, through scholarship and/or work experience
# Litigation experience, preferably in the context of criminal law/anti-corruption
# Judicial clerkship experience preferred
# Ability to work effectively with diverse team members and counterparts
# Ability to work with great collegiality and flexibility within a small and new unit
# Ability to work under pressure and to balance effectively a variety of long-term projects, short-term assignments, and routine daily tasks
# Outstanding organizational skills
# Commitment to adhere to the highest standards of professional integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive cases/matters
World Bank
1818 H St NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 473-1000
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